MEXICO CITY — On the dawn of Sept. 19, 1985, immediately after a devastating earthquake that brought Mexico City to the brink of collapse, Mexicans took to the streets and led a worldwide aid effort to rescue neighbors.

Among them was an unusual hero — a young government engineer by the name of Francisco de la Torre. He stood out among bureaucrats because of his sheer determination to rescue survivors at a time when the government was viewed with suspicion.

So respected was de la Torre by his compatriots that he caught the attention of Elena Poniatowska, a respected French-born Mexican journalist. In her book Nada Nadie, she chronicled a scene involving him:

De la Torre’s son, Francisco Jr., was 11 years old then. Today, he’s the consul general of Mexico in Dallas. Tuesday’s magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Mexico City came 32 years to the day after the 1985 catastrophe, bringing a torrent of painful memories.

It opened an old “permanent scar” in me, he said. “I’m from Mexico City, and this happened on the anniversary. Yeah, this is very personal, emotional.”

Social media didn’t exist in 1985, but the signs of solidarity and heroic efforts and pledges of aid from nations worldwide was tremendous, he said. Pledges of aid poured in from nations abroad, including the U.S., which largely provided hardware and rescue experts, plus cash donations.

Similarly, de la Torre said he’s been overwhelmed by signs of solidarity since Tuesday’s quake — through emails, text messages and social media.

The Mexican government said Wednesday that it’s assessing its needs and will coordinate relief efforts largely through its consulate offices worldwide.

In Dallas, Mayor Mike Rawlings said he spoke to de la Torre on Tuesday and pledged to help in any way possible.

“He asked if we have first responders, and we do,” Rawlings said. “We will be glad to help Mexico.”

Rawlings said the request was informal and that the city is awaiting an official request through the State Department.

Rescue workers search for people trapped inside a collapsed building in the Del Valle area of Mexico City.

A woman watches during the ongoing search for survivors in a school where at least 21 children died and dozens remained missing. (AFP-Getty Images photo/Omar Torres)

Gov. Greg Abbott made the same commitment of help on Tuesday.

"The thoughts and prayers of Texans are with the people of Mexico following another devastating earthquake," Abbott said. "Mexico has been challenged by several natural disasters over the last few weeks, and our hearts are heavy for those lost and impacted by these tragedies. The state of Texas will continue to offer any support to aid Mexico in their time of need."

At least 225 people have been reported killed throughout central Mexico, according to the latest government reports. But the number was constantly changing. Nearly 100 people were confirmed dead in Mexico City, officials said. Many people are missing.

In one neighborhood, rescuers were digging out people buried under rubble, including children trapped beneath their school. More than 20 children were believed to have been killed at the site.

World leaders and Hollywood’s biggest stars took to Twitter on Tuesday to pledge aid and solidarity. President Donald Trump, within hours, tweeted: “God bless the people of Mexico City. We are with you and will be there for you.”

On Wednesday, Trump personally called Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, according to the White House.

Trump’s actions were a sharp turnaround from his response after a magnitude 8.1 earthquake that rocked southern Mexico on Sept. 7, killing about 100 people. Mexicans were offended by Trump’s weeklong delay in offering condolences — an overture regarded as common courtesy when U.S. allies suffer tragedies.

A week after that disaster, Trump tweeted that he had been unable to reach Peña Nieto because of cellphone problems.

“Spoke to President of Mexico to give condolences on terrible earthquake,” Trump tweeted Sept. 14. “Unable to reach for 3 days b/c of his cell phone reception at site.”

Mexico rescinded an earlier offer to provide Texas with Hurricane Harvey aid, citing the need to use those same resources at home.

Hashtags like #prayerforMexico filled Twitter, along with good wishes by celebrities from Britney Spears to boxing star Oscar de la Hoya.

On Tuesday, de la Hoya tweeted: “Let’s help Mexico! Instead of building a wall, Trump should send more aid to help Mexico rebuild after today’s earthquake ‪#PrayForMéxico”

Former President Barack Obama tweeted: “Thinking about our neighbors in Mexico and all our Mexican-American friends tonight. Cuidense mucho y un fuerte abrazo para todos.” (“Take care, and we send you a strong embrace,” using a popular Mexican expression.)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted: “Canada will be ready to help our friends.” And Central American countries immediately sent first responders.

The 1985 disaster involved two earthquakes that hit western Mexico Sept. 19 and 20 and killed at least 9,500 people in Mexico City and elsewhere, heavily damaging the capital.

De La Torre spoke to his 76-year-old father Tuesday.

“He’s terrified,” he said. “The memories alone crushed him, but just like then, and like Mexico, he’s standing tall.”